The Hot Springs Convention Center and Visit Hot Springs are hosting Spa-Con, a multi-genre entertainment and comic convention to be held at the Hot Springs Convention Center Friday, Sept 23 from 6 p.m. (registration at 5 p.m). to Sunday evening, Sept. 25. 

 

According to its website, Spa-Con encourages attendees to “get your personal brand of geek on!” More than comic books and sci-fi or fantasy-related film and television, this Spa-Con also promises pop culture and entertainment elements spanning genres, such as: horror, animation, anime, manga, toys, action figures, collectible card games, video games, webcomics, fantasy novels and more. 

 

Over 130 vendors, artists, and entertainers will be present, including stars Lori Petty of Point Break, A League of Their Own, Tank Girl, Orange Is the New Black; Beau Billingsly, voice of Jet Black in Cowboy Bebop; Mark Rolston of Aliens, Lethal Weapon and Shawshank Redemption; Rodger Bumpass voice of Squidward from Spongebob and Ashlie Adkinson, native Arkansan stage actor. Featured guest artists also include the following: mask maker Tony Buck, illustrator Chris Meeks, graphic designer and creator of the Spa-Con poster Chad Maupin, illustrator Rodney Ramos and animator Tom Cook. 

 

Attractions not to miss are the Stranger Things Hawkins van, the Supernatural Car, a Laser Tag Arena and the Robo World Battle Bots. 

 

Further exciting weekend highlights are as follow:

Friday, Sept. 23 

  • 6 p.m. – Opening Ceremonies
  • 7 p.m. – Bit Brigade Concert
  • 8:30 p.m. – VIP Party

 

Saturday, Sept. 24

  • 10 a.m. – CASA Superhero Parade led by 501st Legion
  • 10 a.m. – Expo Hall Opens
  • 10 a.m. – Saturday Morning Cartoons with Tom Cook
  • 10 a.m. – FX Sculpting Masks Workshop with Tony Buck
  • 10:30 a.m. – Kids Cosplay Showcase with Gregory Harris

 

  • 11 a.m. – Laser Tag Opens
  • 12 p.m. – Q & A with Lori Petty
  • 1 p.m. – Free Photo Ops with Lori Petty
  • 1 p.m. – Spa-Con Showdown Tournament Begins
  • 2 p.m. – VIP Meet and Greet with Lori Petty, Beau Billingslea and Mark Rolston
  • 2 p.m. – Chainmail Mesh Workshop with Cowbutt Crunchies
  • 2 p.m. – How to Join the 501st Legion
  • 3 p.m. – Open Portrait Session
  • 3 p.m. – Q & A with Beau Billingslea
  • 4 p.m. – Free Photo Ops with Beau Billingslea
  • 4 p.m. – Cosplay Contest Pre-Judging Begins
  • 7 p.m. – Cosplay Club and Contest
  • 8:30 p.m. – VIP Party

 

Sunday, Sept. 25

  • 10 a.m. – Expo Hall Opens
  • 10 a.m. – Inking for Comics Workshop with Rodney Ramos
  • 11 a.m. – Laser Tag Opens
  • 11 a.m. – Ways to Enhance & Add Detail to Your Foam Builds with Bruce Holt and Cheeky Cheetah
  • 12 p.m. – Big Wigs: Advanced Wig Styling with Notgrima
  • 12 p.m. – Dating Game with Nerd Informants
  • 1 p.m. – Q & A with Mark Rolston
  • 2 p.m. – VIP Meet and Greet with Mark Rolston
  • 2 p.m. – Sorting Hat with The Pocket Theater
  • 4 p.m. – SpaCademy Awards
  • 5 p.m. – VIP Party

 

While VIP passes have sold out, early weekend passes are still available online for $35 ($45 if purchased in person). The first 1,000 pass-holders receive a Spa-Con tote bag, Spa-Con t-shirt, and Spa-Con laminate. Day passes for Saturday or Sunday only will be available in September and cost $20. Guests aged five years and under are free accompanied by a paying adult. 

 

For more information about the weekend’s full lineup and activity listings, as well as to purchase advance passes, please visit the Spa-Con website

 

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